TORONTO, Feb. 28 2008 - Two Thornhill residents and a company have been charged by the RCMP's Greater Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section for their role in the sale and distribution of counterfeit networking components. Charged with two counts each of Fraud Over $5000, and one count each of Passing Off and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime are:
Aaron SANANES, age 44 of Charnwood Place, Thornhill, Ontario
Mandi FITLEBERG, age 45, of Charnwood Place, Thornhill, Ontario
NETWORK IT of Don Park Road, Markham
The RCMP's investigation commenced in October 2006, when CISCO SYSTEMS INC., a manufacturer of networking components for the Internet and digital transmissions, complained that NETWORK IT was distributing large quantities of counterfeit network components to companies in the United States via the Internet. Their allegation was supported by several law enforcement actions taken in the United States by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in relation to the distribution of networking components. In November 2006, investigators from the RCMP, ICE,
and the FBI formed a joint initiative to disrupting the flow of counterfeit CISCO networking components in North America.
On February 21, 2007, with the cooperation of their US law enforcement partners, the RCMP executed a Search Warrant on the business premises of NETWORK IT, in Markham. Approximately 1,600 counterfeit parts were seized with an estimated value of over 2 million dollars.
"Counterfeit products greatly undermine the integrity of our economy" stated Inspector Peter Goulet, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section. "In many cases the end users were unaware that counterfeit products were being placed in their computers, and depending on the function of those computers this could cause serious health and safety concerns."
The accused will appear at Newmarket Court on February 28, 2008 for a first appearance.
- 30 -
For further information: Cpl. Cathie Glenn, RCMP, (905) 953-7347
